Maha traders threaten to intensify agitation against LBT

Traders in Maharashtra have threatened to intensify their agitation over the local body tax (LBT), imposed in lieu of octroi, by the state government last year.
The trader community is opposing it tooth and nail as they fear increase in tax burden and harassment after the state government pushed the issue into cold storage again despite assuring last week that it would take decisive measures.
"Our anti-LBT agitation has been going on for over a year now and despite several assurances, the state government has done nothing regarding our demand to scrap it," Federation of Associations of Maharashtra (FAM) president Mohan Gurnani said in a statement here.

Yesterday, a joint Meeting of Committee Members of (Darukhana Iron, Steel & Scrap Association) DISMA, (Bombay Iron Merchants Association) BIMA and Steel Chambers of India was held do decide future strategy in respect of LBT.
Gurnani informed that a meeting of representatives of the trade community falling under jurisdiction of the affected 26 municipal corporations of Maharashtra wherein LBT has already been implemented will be held on June 8 at Navi Mumbai.
The members had a discussion to bring awareness among the trade community that the battle against the LBT has not come to an end.
It was also decided that if the government does not take any step forward on the abolition of LBT within 10 days, the trade community will step-up its protests.